Noob Questions

[CRF]

Hey im new to this game and ive got a couple questions.
First of all, what is the best basic strategy to learn, because i know that the bs changes depending on table rules... so i guess im just asking what a good median is that i will find in most places, i started learning 6 decks, S17, DAS, No Surrender, Peek
Second, does anybody have a statistic on how often the dealer will bust?
and lastly, any tips for a beginner?
Thanks

 

[Sucker]

First of all, what is the best basic strategy to learn, because i know that the bs changes depending on table rules

To START, learn the BS for the rules at the casino you're going to spend the most time at. Once you've mastered that, you'll find that it will take no time at all to learn the few changes for the different rules.

Second, does anybody have a statistic on how often the dealer will bust?

In a single deck game, the dealer will bust approximately 27.8% of the times that he tries to make a hand (in the real world, if everyone at the table busts first; the dealer will stand short and cannot bust, even if he has a stiff).

 

[halibut]

Second, does anybody have a statistic on how often the dealer will bust?

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjtourn-dealercharts.php

and lastly, any tips for a beginner?

Read this thread first:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=9666

May good cards be with you.

 

[Canceler]

Second, does anybody have a statistic on how often the dealer will bust?
and lastly, any tips for a beginner?

Don’t get too hung up on dealer bust rates; there’s more to the game than that. Like all the times you win by having a better hand than the dealer. Get hung up on EV (Archive copy) instead.

 

[21forme]

FWIW (courtesy of QFIT):

(Dead link: http://www.qfit.com/blackjackblog/?p=21)

 

[CRF]

Ok thanks everyone, also ive been learning to count using hi-opt 1... is that a good place to start, eventually i think i wanna move to the zen count, and is it hard to switch from one system to another?

 

[revrac]

Ok thanks everyone, also ive been learning to count using hi-opt 1... is that a good place to start, eventually i think i wanna move to the zen count, and is it hard to switch from one system to another?

If you eventually want to learn zen save yourself some trouble and just do it now, if you are able to learn it then it will be easier to just start with it and if not then go for something easy but still fairly strong like hi-lo or KO.

 

[assume_R]

is it hard to switch from one system to another?

Others might disagree but I haven't found it hard. Deal a deck to yourself quickly using one count. Then deal the very next deck and practice with a completely different counting system. If you can switch back and forth between each practice deck you'll be fine. Like anything it will require hard work but I think almost anybody is capable of knowing different counts. At the beginning I think I started playing at a real table too soon knowing different counts (and might have made some errors), but I have practice a lot more at home since then.

Obviously if you find a nice system which suits you for all games you will ever play then your practice time will be reduced, your errors will most likely be reduced, and hence you will be getting more time at the tables making good plays which is good for your N0!

 

[azbjdealer]

I always use Hi-Lo counting system. It's easy to learn, but can be tought or near impossible to implement as a newbie. Here is what I recommend if you want to ease into counting as a newbie:

Use the A/5 Counting System at the tables while you perfect Hi-Lo by practicing at home. A/5 is easy to implement, and can give you an advantage when using BS. Here are the rules:

1. For each five observed, add one to the count.

2. For each ace observed, subtract one from the count.

3. If the count is greater than or equal to plus two, then bet double the table minimum (if the table minimum is $5, bet $10).

4. If the count is less than or equal to one, then make the minimum bet (if the mi is $5, bet $5).

5. Use basic strategy for all playing decisions.

This will keep you playing for a long time, and allow you to ease into counting. You should have 6 decks of cards at home, and every day you should be flipping the cards over and practicing your Hi-Lo count at least 10 times a day.

Do this every day until you are able to count the deck twice quickly and come up with a count of 0 at the end of the deck.

Be advised however, that there are many countermeasures in place now at most casinos to render counting ineffective. Among those are CSM's (continuous shuffle machines) which allow dealers to return used cards to the same shoe, allowing for little to no deck penetration.

 

[MangoJ]

come up with a count of 0 at the end of the deck.

Bad advice. Because it will bias your training, as you always know it will finish with zero. You will fool yourself of your skills. Better to leave 5 cards out face down. Count down the remaining deck, and compare it with the last 5 cards.

 

[azbjdealer]

Bad advice. Because it will bias your training, as you always know it will finish with zero. You will fool yourself of your skills. Better to leave 5 cards out face down. Count down the remaining deck, and compare it with the last 5 cards.

I never thought of it like that. But, it hasn't hurt me doing this training like I said. In fact, it's made me a right fast counter.

 

[21gunsalute]

I always use Hi-Lo counting system. It's easy to learn, but can be tought or near impossible to implement as a newbie. Here is what I recommend if you want to ease into counting as a newbie:

Use the A/5 Counting System at the tables while you perfect Hi-Lo by practicing at home. A/5 is easy to implement, and can give you an advantage when using BS. Here are the rules:

1. For each five observed, add one to the count.

2. For each ace observed, subtract one from the count.

3. If the count is greater than or equal to plus two, then bet double the table minimum (if the table minimum is $5, bet $10).

4. If the count is less than or equal to one, then make the minimum bet (if the mi is $5, bet $5).

5. Use basic strategy for all playing decisions.

This will keep you playing for a long time, and allow you to ease into counting. You should have 6 decks of cards at home, and every day you should be flipping the cards over and practicing your Hi-Lo count at least 10 times a day.

Do this every day until you are able to count the deck twice quickly and come up with a count of 0 at the end of the deck.

Be advised however, that there are many countermeasures in place now at most casinos to render counting ineffective. Among those are CSM's (continuous shuffle machines) which allow dealers to return used cards to the same shoe, allowing for little to no deck penetration.

A/5=terrible idea! Hi-Lo isn't difficult at all.

 

[Solo player]

I always use Hi-Lo counting system. It's easy to learn, but can be tought or near impossible to implement as a newbie. Here is what I recommend if you want to ease into counting as a newbie:

Use the A/5 Counting System at the tables while you perfect Hi-Lo by practicing at home. A/5 is easy to implement, and can give you an advantage when using BS. Here are the rules:

1. For each five observed, add one to the count.

2. For each ace observed, subtract one from the count.

3. If the count is greater than or equal to plus two, then bet double the table minimum (if the table minimum is $5, bet $10).

4. If the count is less than or equal to one, then make the minimum bet (if the mi is $5, bet $5).

5. Use basic strategy for all playing decisions.

This will keep you playing for a long time, and allow you to ease into counting. You should have 6 decks of cards at home, and every day you should be flipping the cards over and practicing your Hi-Lo count at least 10 times a day.

Do this every day until you are able to count the deck twice quickly and come up with a count of 0 at the end of the deck.

Be advised however, that there are many countermeasures in place now at most casinos to render counting ineffective. Among those are CSM's (continuous shuffle machines) which allow dealers to return used cards to the same shoe, allowing for little to no deck penetration.

This doesn't make sense. Just learn Hi-Lo in steps it is not that hard. If you must, play basic and just keep the running count. Then work in the true count conv. Then add index plays. Depending on the amount of time you practice it won't take as long as you think. And get good software. Your dedication to the game detemines how long it takes to learn a system.

 

[rrwoods]

Great drill for practicing counts, which combines counting with the mental gymnastics of multitasking:

Take a single deck of cards. Deal out one full round of six players, and play them all with perfect basic, and play out the dealer hand. Count the whole time. Deal out another full round. 99% of the time you'll have cards left. Check your count.